Paris – South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has committed to turning the 2030 World Expo into a stage for showcasing and synergizing diverse cultures, skills, and beliefs, should Busan be selected as the host city. Speaking at a dinner with members of the diplomatic corps in Paris and delegates to the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), Yoon outlined his vision just five days before the vote to decide the host city. South Korea's Busan is in contention with Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and Rome, Italy, for hosting rights, with the decision set to be made at a BIE general assembly in Paris next Tuesday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the growing global interest in South Korean culture, including its cuisine, K-pop, and cinema, forms the basis for his proposal to leverage the 2030 World Expo as a platform for cultural exchange and collaboration. Yoon emphasized Busan's free, open, and innovative image and reassured the diplomatic corps and BIE delegates of South Korea's dedication to hosting the event and realizing its ambitious vision.